Virginia's Gateway Region

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! 💪 The dedication of our workforce makes Virginia’s Gateway Region a great place for businesses to grow and communities to thrive. 🇺🇸

09/03/2026

🇺🇸 What would one of Prince George County’s most influential founding-era voices tell us today?

For our latest feature, we traveled to Prince George County Founder’s Day for a conversation across the centuries with Richard Bland, portrayed by living history interpreter Charles Wissinger.

From to***co and the farmland that powered Virginia’s early economy to the fight for “no taxation without representation,” Bland’s story shows how ideas that helped shape a new nation were taking root right here in our region.

His advice for today’s leaders? Remember who you serve: “It is not the representatives who are in charge; it is the people.”

Meet Richard Bland and explore Prince George County’s place in America’s story: https://ow.ly/fF6y50ZIrzS

The story of Virginia’s Gateway Region began long before modern industry, interstate highways and global commerce. It began on fertile farmland, along thriv ...

09/02/2026

Looking for your next career opportunity? Brightpoint Community College is bringing job seekers and area employers together at two upcoming Career Fairs.

Both events are free and open to students, alums and community members, with opportunities to meet employers and learn about job openings across the region.

📅 Sept. 10 | 3:30–6 p.m.
Chester Campus, Nicholas Center
📅 Sept. 15 | Noon–2:30 p.m.
Midlothian Campus, Hamel Hall

Connecting local talent with local employers is an important part of building a strong regional workforce, and we’re glad to see our partners at Brightpoint creating those connections.

See participating employers and event details: https://ow.ly/yCrk50ZGeOG

📷 : Brightpoint

09/01/2026

Have a business idea you’ve been thinking about? Here’s a chance to put it to the test.

Startup Virginia’s Idea Factory is a free, seven-week program designed for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. Participants talk with potential customers, uncover real needs and pain points, challenge assumptions and determine whether an idea has real potential.

Applications close Sept. 11. Want to find out more first? A virtual information session is set for Sept. 9 at 5:15 p.m.

Learn more and apply: startupvirginia.org/idea-factory

08/27/2026

We enjoyed another great opportunity last week to put Virginia’s Gateway Region in front of our partners at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

Shanetta Beck shared how is positioning itself for growth – from industry and data center opportunities to revitalization, events and expanding retail and restaurant options. With more than 60,000 vehicles traveling through the area each day, Emporia offers visibility and access to match its ambition.

Michelle Rogers highlighted the momentum in Prince George County, including 34 active projects, Jabil’s continued progress, small business micro-grants, creative child care solutions and infrastructure investments that have added 1.5 million gallons per day of water capacity.

Thank you to our colleagues at VEDP for making time to hear directly from our local partners and learn more about the opportunities taking shape across the Gateway Region.

📷: VGR Board Chair Rex Davis; Jo-Elsa Jordan, business manager with VEDP; Michelle Rogers, PG County; Shanetta Beck, Emporia

08/26/2026

🌲 Virginia’s Gateway Region has a new seat at the table for one of the Commonwealth’s most important industries.

VGR has been invited to the new Virginia Wood Council, bringing the perspective of a region with deep roots in forestry and wood products to this statewide effort.

It’s a natural fit. VGR sits within the Southeast’s “wood basket,” which supplies more than 60% of the timber harvested in the U.S., and communities including Brunswick, Greensville and Sussex counties have long been part of Virginia’s timber economy.

The new council will bring industry and government leaders together to strengthen markets, workforce, supply chains and opportunities for wood-based businesses across Virginia.

🌳 Learn more about the Virginia Wood Council: https://ow.ly/JxGC50ZEWQy

08/25/2026

⚽ Big plans are moving forward in Colonial Heights.

City Council has approved the sale of 38 acres near Southpark Mall for the planned Sina Sports Complex. This development could ultimately represent $180 million in investment and bring new sports fields, hotels, restaurants, apartments and hundreds of jobs to the city.

The vision goes beyond the playing fields. By combining tournament sports with places to stay, eat and spend, the project could keep more visitor dollars right here in Colonial Heights and the Gateway Region.

Read more from Richmond BizSense about what’s planned: https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/08/19/colonial-heights-approves-land-sale-to-sina-hospitality-for-180m-sports-complex-project/

Last night's approval allows the Henrico-based hotelier to buy the 38-acre former landfill from the city for $1, in exchange for building a project featuring hotels, restaurants and synthetic turf fields on the property.

08/20/2026

Virginia’s advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is gaining momentum, and Virginia’s Gateway Region is helping move it forward.

VGR’s Alex Wood joined U.S. Senator Mark Warner and other regional leaders on a panel at the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) celebrating the federal investment in the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub. VGR Director of Workforce Development David Leonard also attended as part of the VGR team.

This investment means new technology, stronger domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and new career opportunities – all important to our region’s continued economic growth.

Proud to have VGR at the table as this work moves forward with other key local partners, including Brightpoint Community College and the Community College Workforce Alliance.

📷: Drexel Harris

08/19/2026

🚐 Health care on the move in .

VGR was proud to join Bon Secours Southside Medical Center and community partners for the blessing and dedication of the new Petersburg Care-A-Van.

More than a vehicle, the Care-a-Van is about access, bringing health care directly to neighborhoods, schools, churches and community centers and helping remove barriers that can stand between residents and better health outcomes. Investments that strengthen the health and well-being of our communities also strengthen our region.

📸 Asha Hopson, John Randolph Foundation; Amy Everett, Virginia’s Gateway Region; Joey Trapani, Southside Medical Center; and Paige Bullen, Bon Secours Foundation in Richmond.

08/18/2026

A strong workforce takes partners who understand what employers need and create pathways to opportunity.

Brightpoint Community College’s new Hospitality Management program does just that. Developed with regional industry leaders, it responds directly to workforce needs in the growing tourism and hospitality sector.

Partners like Brightpoint are critical to ensuring our workforce grows alongside our economy.

👏 Read more: https://ow.ly/VXSt50Zy76g